Boynton City Hall offices start to close

Town Square project will house a new headquarters for city

Several city departments at Boynton Beach City Hall are moving their offices in preparation for the long-anticipated Town Square project.

When it’s all over, the 16 acres just east of Interstate 95 at the Boynton Beach Boulevard exit will have new city buildings as well as new homes.

The $250 million Town Square project calls for a new City Hall, 705 rental apartments and two parking garages. A five- or sixstory hotel that could have 120 to 140 rooms, with ground-level retail space, will rise on the site of the existing City Hall, which may be demolished in September.

The project also includes renovation of the historic Boynton Beach High School, which was vacated years ago but will remain as a landmark. Now the building is used for cultural events, and the upstairs gym often is the site of wedding receptions.

City Hall employees started vacating their offices on Friday. All departments will be in temporary digs, many of them along Quantum Boulevard, until they move into the new Town Square. Completion is expected at the end of 2020 or 2021.

The City Manager’s Office and the Departments of Communications & Marketing, Economic Development, Finance, Human Resources, Grants & ADA and the City Attorney’s Office will close on Aug. 24 and reopen Aug. 27 in their temporary spot.

Community Standards, City Clerk, Information Technology Services, Community Improvement, and Parks & Recreation will be closed on Aug. 27 and reopen Aug. 29.

Planning & Zoning, Development Administration, Building, Public Art, Public Works/Engineering will be closed Aug. 31 and reopen Sept. 4.

Customer Service, where residents can pay their water bills, reopened Monday at 209 N. Seacrest Blvd.

Police and fire-rescue services will not be interrupted. Three police divisions will move across the street, next to Customer Service.

Beginning Sept. 4, all public meetings will take place at the Intracoastal Park Clubhouse, 2240 N. Federal Highway.

Despite all the moving around, city officials said the end result will be worth the inconvenience.

“We are looking forward to Town Square becoming a hub for a vibrant and engaging downtown Boynton Beach area for residents, businesses, and visitors,” said City Manager Lori LaVerriere in a statement.